New Park Begins Transformation of Industrial Hudson Yards District

HUDSON YARDS — A brand new park open to the public Friday will kick off the massive transformation of Hudson Yards from an industrial rail yard to a bustling residential and commercial district, its developers said.

The two sections of the Hudson Yards Park and Boulevard that will open include blocks between 10th and 11th Avenues from 34th Street to 36th Street, according to the Hudson Yards Development Corporation that backed the $27 million dollar project.

A third section of the park between 33rd and 34th streets contains the main entrance to the much anticipated 7 train extension and will open when the subway station does, according to the HYDC. The MTA has set that date for Sept. 13.

The two chunks of park now open include tables and chairs for lounging, three massive circular fountains, grassy knolls dotted with trees and plants and a play area for kids that has a rope dome for climbing and squishy rubber matting made to feel like the surface of the moon.

The park has the Javits Center and the Hudson River to its western flank and will eventually be surrounded on all sides by residential and commercial development once construction is complete, according to its developers.

In later phases of the project, the park will stretch out to 39th Street on the northern tip, though a timeline for that extension is not yet final, its developers said.

“We are thrilled to open Hudson Yards Park and bring a top-of-the line amenity to this growing community,” said Mark Spector, president of the Development Corporation. “As Hudson Yards continues to take shape around us, this new park and playground will help make New York City a better place to live, work and play.”

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